Adding Extra Database Fields In WordPress (1 post)

Hi All,
I'm doing a standard site for a local Genealogy Group, The info on the site so far is pretty general but now the want a searchable database of Family ancestral homes including household members.

I can do this as a separate MySql database but it will take a lot of coding and I see a lot of additional information being added in the future.

Would it be possible to use WordPress custom post types and custom fields to achieve the same affect and if so is there somewhere I can find a good tutorial on doing something like this.

Basic in would be -
Table called something like Area Code or Zip or Town Name -
Example Fields -
Area/Town - Home Name - Householder Name - Home Occupation Time - Family Members, etc